Mississippi River Parkway Commission of Minnesota Bluffs Region (Hastings to Iowa Border) September 23, 2016 10:00 11:30 a.m. Red Wing Ignite 419 Bush Street, Red Wing, MN
Bluffs Region Agenda I. Welcome & Introductions II. Minnesota Great River Road Updates III. Ten State Great River Road Projects IV. Regional Commissioner Election V. Regional Work IV. Ideas/Input/Updates from Participants
Welcome & Introductions
Commission s Mission: To preserve, promote and enhance the scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Mississippi River, to foster economic growth in the corridor and to develop the national, scenic and historic byway known as the Great River Road.
Corridor Management Planning Results Corridor Management Plan Implementation owayfinding Signage oplan Your Project oplan Your Trip oambassador Development
TH 61 Underlook TH 61 Lake City Concourse TH 61 Reads Landing TH 61 Lake City Rest Area TH 26 @ New Albin, IA
MRT Host Communities: Bemidji, Brainerd, Little Falls, Ramsey, Hastings, Lake City & Winona
Initial Implementation Focus I. Wayfinding Signage II. Plan Your Project III. Plan Your Trip IV. Ambassador Development
Wayfinding Signage A total of 135 Great River Road wayfinding signs, or 22%, were noted as missing
Wayfinding Signage Where signs are in place, 32% of the time they do not follow the Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Variations in size, color, and wording Inconsistent sign placement on poles Inconsistent type of arrow Arrow is missing Faded or otherwise beyond its useful life
Plan Your Project Great River Road Route MRT Route Traveler Resource Database Great River Road Sign Inventory SALT Database (County, City, Other) Programmed Bridge Projects 2015-2018 Programmed Projects 2015-2018 Planned Bridge Projects 2019-2022 Planned Projects 2019 2022 Scenic Easements and Areas Multi-modal connections Permitted billboards
Plan Your Trip Traveler Resource Database Boat Access City Park Museum Campsite (Water Trail) Trailhead Bridge Dam Rest Area Campground Forest Tourist Information Center Scientific and Natural Area Interpretive Marker County Park Regional Park State Park Scenic Overlook Wildlife Area Park Reserve Fishing Pier Recreation Area Byway Intersection Historic Site Picnic Area Public Art Visitor Center Multimodal Hub Native American Site National Park National Forest Tribal Lands Great River Road Route MRT Route Bluffs Ohuta Park City Park Park Street on north edge of marina Lake City, Minnesota 55041 Website Located on the edge of the Mississippi River, the small Ohuta Park offers fabulous views, a swimming beach, scattered riverside picnic tables, modern restrooms and access to the river walk. Anglers can try their luck from the bank. Carry-in boat access provides canoists and kayakers easy access to the river. Features: Small city park on Mississippi River. Swimming beach, picnic area, access to river walk. Carry-in boat assess. Modern restrooms. Attachments: 10355-126 - Photo1.jpg 10355-127 - Photo2.jpg Zoom to Get Directions
Ambassador Development Developing a Great River Road Ambassador program will educate tourism agencies, local hospitality-related businesses, local officials, and river enthusiasts about the unique characteristics and needs of byway tourists as well as to better leverage the economic benefits associated with the Great River Road. It will include driving and biking the Great River Road with state and local transportation staff so they better understand opportunities to manage the byway as a parkway to better serve byway traveler needs.
Ten State Great River Road Projects Fall Drive the Great River Road promotion Other 2016 Contests Birding & Biking Great River Road Mobile App Great River Road Ten-state Printed Map Ten-State Corridor Management Plan Mississippi River Connections Collaborative Partnership 2016 Year of Birding 2017 Year of Hiking Geotourism - http://mississippiriver.natgeotourism.com/ Launch Contributor recognition
Regional Commissioner Election MN-MRPC COMMISSIONER RESPONSIBILITIES To enact the mission of the MRPC at National, State and local levels To participate in four meetings of the MN-MRPC annually. To participate, as schedule and funding allows, in bi-annual National Mississippi River Parkway Commission meetings and to serve on National Standing Committees as appointed by the MN-MRPC Chair. To actively support special events related to the Mississippi River and/or Great River Road. IN ADDITION, REGIONAL COMMISSIONER S RESPONSIBILITIES ARE: To enable their Citizen Committee and regional stakeholders to maximize the benefits of the Great River Road. To act as liaison between the MRPC/MN-MRPC and the regional Great River Road citizen committee from which he/she is appointed. To foster partnerships and cooperation within their region, harnessing local resources to implement the mission. To coordinate meetings and lead implementation of work plans for their Regional Citizen Committee.
Regional Commissioner Election According to statute, the MN-MRPC includes five Regional Commissioners elected by citizen committees within those regions. A Commissioner will be elected today for a two year term. Ballots will now be distributed
Regional Updates River Bridge Projects: TH 61 Hastings Complete TH 63 Red Wing Final Design, approaches under construction TH 43 Winona Under construction, rehab design phase I-90 Dresbach Under construction River Trail Planning: Mississippi Blufflands State Trail Master Plan MnDNR led
Historic Wayside Restorations Camp Ripley Entrance Walls St. Cloud Historical Marker National Grange Historical Marker Sibley Pioneer Church Monument Burns Ave. Overlook Minn. State Training School Walls Ft. Beauharnois Historical Marker Lake City Concourse Reads Landing Overlook LaCrescent Overlook LaCrescent State Entry Marker Reno Spring Roadside Parking Area
Silica Sand Toolkit Environmental Quality Board Tools to Assist Local Governments in Planning for and Regulating Silica Sand Projects approved March 19, 2014
From the Group Updates Ideas Input Questions?
Thank You! Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission 300 33 rd Avenue South Suite 101 Waite Park, MN 56387 651-341-4196 info@mn.mississippiriver.com www.mnmississippiriver.com Special thanks to the Redwing Ignite for hosting today s meeting!